Mohammed Bin Rashid School for Communication Introduces Undergraduate Program in Game Design and Technology
New Bachelor of Science in Game Design and Development Launches at American University in Dubai
The Mohammed Bin Rashid School for Communication (MBRSC) at the American University in Dubai (AUD) is set to introduce a new Bachelor of Science in Game Design and Development starting in the 2025-26 academic year. This programme, developed in collaboration with the University of Southern California’s (USC) School of Cinematic Arts, promises a globally competitive curriculum.
The degree offers two concentrations: Game Design and Game Development. The Game Design specialisation emphasises storytelling, world-building, visual aesthetics, and user experience, while Game Development focuses on programming, software tools, game engines, and immersive technologies.
Through this programme, students will acquire skills to design engaging gameplay, develop optimised games using industry-standard tools, and enhance player immersion through narrative and artistic techniques. The curriculum also covers multidisciplinary collaboration, game production, and the ethical and commercial dimensions of the gaming industry.
The initiative is supported by the Dubai Media Council, aligning with Dubai’s broader strategy to position itself as a hub for digital entertainment and interactive content. This move follows the recent launch of the Dubai Films and Games Commission.
Sophie Boutros, Executive Director of MBRSC, emphasises the importance of combining creative skills with technical knowledge for future game designers. The programme aims to prepare students for careers in the rapidly growing global gaming sector, positioning Dubai as a launchpad for the next generation of game creators.
The global gaming revenues are projected to continue climbing, making the new programme particularly timely and valuable. With this initiative, the MBRSC at AUD is taking a significant step towards fostering a future-ready media industry driven by local talent, fostering innovation and competitiveness in emerging media sectors, as envisioned by Hesham Al Olama, Director of Strategy & Performance at the Dubai Media Council.
[1] Press Release: American University in Dubai Launches Bachelor of Science in Game Design and Development. (2023). Dubai Media Office. Retrieved from [https://dubaimediaoffice.ae/en/news/american-university-in-dubai-launches-bachelor-of-science-in-game-design-and-development]
[4] American University in Dubai. (n.d.). About AUD. Retrieved from [https://www.aud.edu/about]
[5] University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts. (n.d.). Game Programs. Retrieved from [https://cinema.usc.edu/academics/game-programs]
- The collaboration between American University in Dubai and the University of Southern California’s School of Cinematic Arts is instrumental in the development of the innovative future of game design and development, fostering a competitive and skillful workforce in the rapidly growing global gaming sector.
- By integrating multidisciplinary approaches such as science, technology, education-and-self-development, and the ethical dimensions of the gaming industry into the curriculum, the new Bachelor of Science in Game Design and Development aims to stimulate innovation and nurture talent, positioning Dubai as a hub for the upcoming generation of game innovators.
- The introduction of cutting-edge technology, immersive techniques, and industry-standard tools in the programme promises to deliver an education that focuses on the development of players’ immersion and engagement, thereby leveraging the potential of science, technology, and storytelling for enhanced gaming experiences in the future.
